What A Day Introducing Shadow Kingdom: Coal Survivor
Sep 1, 2025
Explore the dark and dangerous world of American coal miners in the 1970s. The story of Jock Yablonski, a union hero, reveals a conspiracy and a tragic murder linked to union corruption. Delve into the struggles miners face against black lung disease, battling not only health issues but a system that overlooks their needs. Experience the fierce rivalry between Tony Boyle and Yablonski, culminating in a betrayal that jeopardizes the fight for miners' rights. As tensions rise, the community braces for an inevitable confrontation.
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The Night Jock Was Targeted
- Jock Yablonski spent decades in the UMW and was gunned at after publicly opposing the union's direction.
- Paul Gilley stalked Jock outside his Clarksville home before later returning to kill him.
Convention Sparked A Deep Rift
- The 1964 UMW convention crystallized a split between reformers and Boyle loyalists within union ranks.
- Tony Boyle's coronation transformed internal disputes into a personal, violent power struggle.
Health Crisis Changed The Stakes
- Black lung disease turned routine union politics into an existential fight for miners' lives.
- Jock's advocacy on black lung exposed the union's failures and boosted his popularity among rank-and-file miners.